Energy-starved Pakistan sees slight on solar power

Energy-starved Pakistan sees slight on solar power Muzaffarabad - From mosques, to homes and streets, Pakistanis are increasingly seeing the light and realising that year-round sun may be a cheap if partial answer to an enormous energy crisis. The shortfall means that millions endure electricity cuts for up to 16 hours a day, leaving them freezing in winter and sweltering in summer while hitting industry hard, exacerbating a slow-burn recession. Voters say it is their biggest single concern, secondary to the war against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, and so the government has been increasingly vocal about redressing the problem as it eyes elections within a year. Pakistan needs to produce 16 000 megawatts of electricity a day but only manages 13 000 megawatts, according to the Pakistan Electric Power Company. The majority of Pakistan's tubewell pumps, which pump out underground water, run on the strained national grid or on diesel power. The trouble is remedial plans are only at an embryonic stage. "Energy is our biggest issue, more than terrorism, and if we replace our one million tubewell pumps with solar ones, we will be able to save 7 000 megawatts," Kathia told AFP at the demonstration of a solar well in the capital. 4 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Solar street lights are also being put in place slowly in cities such as Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi. Pakistan's first on-grid solar power station, capable of producing 178. 4 million megawatt potential for solar energy alone in Pakistan. Niaz Ahmed Kathia, director of private firm Alternate Energy Systems, said abundant and free sunshine was the answer to Pakistan's energy woes. "I think all our friends are encouraged to understand the real energy crisis thats in Pakistan. There is no pretence that solar power is the only answer, but this month the prime minister ordered the government to supply solar electricity in remote villages far from the national grid. "It can be a seed for thousands more solar power plants," Senator Rukhsana Zuberi, a former chairperson of the Pakistan Engineering Council told AFP. A 170-litre (37-gallon) capacity solar geyser starts from 27,000 rupees ($300) and a 218-litre version for 32 000 rupees as a one-time cost. In Azam's hometown of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, solar panels light up a public park and mosques. "The gas companies would instal solar water heaters at consumer premises and deduct the amount in installments in the gas bills," he added. This winter Pakistan suffered a two billion cubic feet a day shortage of natural gas - usually the mainstay of millions delivered to homes and industry via pipelines - sparking protests and forcing factories to lay off labourers. At the time, she was referring to Pakistan's determination to build a pipeline and import gas from Iran, regardless of US threats of sanctions, but the message was clear: on the energy front, Pakistan needs any help it can get. . Energy-starved Pakistan sees slight on solar power Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 01/04/2012